Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed term)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 372-COM2586
- Employer
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Broad St/Princess Royal Community
- Town
- Halifax/Huddersfield
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 03/11/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 12/11/2025
Employer heading
Specialist Children's Speech and Language Therapist
NHS AfC: Band 6
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.
We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.
We are open to considering a wide range of flexible working arrangements. There are opportunities to flex the days of the week, hours and times of work and place of work including: part-time, job-share, flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home when appropriate. Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.
We received our Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we provided its statement of intent to support all Defence personnel and we welcome application to work for us. Find out more - Why Choose CHFT?
Our Future Plans
The Department of Health and Social Care has awarded capital funding to invest in local health services at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. This is a significant investment and an opportunity to enhance services for our populations in Calderdale and Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for generations to come. To find out more, please visit https://future.cht.nhs.uk/
Job overview
We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Speech and Language Therapist to join our dynamic Special Educational Needs (SEN) Pathway. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated clinician who is passionate about supporting children and young people with complex communication needs — particularly those who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
You will work collaboratively with families, education staff, and multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality assessment and intervention. The role offers the opportunity to develop clinical expertise within a supportive team and to contribute to service development within a specialist area.
We’re looking for someone who is:
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Experienced in working with children and young people with complex communication needs, ideally within specialist or educational settings.
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Knowledgeable and confident in the use of AAC systems and strategies, including assessment, implementation, and ongoing support.
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A reflective and proactive practitioner with strong communication, organisation, and teamwork skills.
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Committed to evidence-based practice and continuing professional development.
Main duties of the job
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Provide assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for children and young people with a range of speech, language, and communication needs, including complex profiles and AAC users.
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Support the implementation and review of AAC systems, from low- to high-tech solutions, tailored to individual needs.
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Work collaboratively with schools, parents, carers, and multidisciplinary colleagues to promote inclusive communication environments.
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Contribute to training and capacity building across education and health settings.
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Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in accordance with service and professional standards.
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Supervise and support junior colleagues and students, as appropriate.
Working for our organisation
This is an exciting opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist to join our innovative and motivated Children’s Therapy team in Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. The service consists of Dieticians, Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and therapy assistants. We have team bases in both Halifax and Huddersfield, the post holder may work from the either base.
We Offer
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Supportive and friendly multidisciplinary team environment.
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Regular supervision and opportunities for continuing professional development.
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Access to in-service training in AAC and other specialist areas.
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Opportunities to be involved in service innovation and pathway development.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To manage own specialist caseload in this area.
Work autonomously within Trust policies and professional practice, maintaining accurate and comprehensive up to date records.
To carry out specialist assessment and treatment of children with complex needs, with the aim of using education and advice to facilitate children/ young people and carers to understand and actively participate in the management of the condition, leading to safe and timely discharges and transfer of care.
Determine a clinical diagnosis, develop, deliver, implement, evaluate and modify individualised treatment programmes and/or provide specialist advice, ensuring appropriate pathways of care and communication via liaison and referral to other agencies as required. 2 Take part in the education and training of Speech and Language Therapists and qualified and non-qualified healthcare / social services / education staff including medical staff.
To support and advise within the wider MDT on the delivery of the service.
Person specification
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Essential criteria
- Relevant Degree/Diploma
- Registered with HPC / NMC
- Evidence of Postgraduate Training
- Clinical Educator Training
- Member of Professional Body
Desirable criteria
- Studied at Masters level or equivalent
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
Essential criteria
- Recent experience demonstrating ability to assess, treat and evaluate care in paediatrics
- Good Clinical Reasoning skills
- Evidence of CPD, self-directed learning and Reflective Practice
- Awareness of relevant Legislation, NSF’S/ Local and National initiatives
- Understanding of Clinical Governance
- Critical Appraisal Skills
- Ability to maintain legible and accurate records
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, NSF’s and local/National initiatives
- Evidence of recent experience of working with children with complex needs including neurological, behavioural and sensory disorders
- Knowledge of child development and a range of common paediatric conditions
- Ability to carry out specialist assessments and treatments and evaluate intervention in terms of quality and outcomes for children and their families
- Evidence of up to date best practice in paediatrics
- Knowledge and experience of the principles and practice of partnership working within an integrated team
- Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate appropriately using knowledge of blurred boundary / competency frameworks
- Knowledge and understanding of national and local priorities pertaining to children
Desirable criteria
- Experience of developing others
- Experience in contributing to service improvements e.g. Audit, patient information
- Experience in dealing with complaints (e.g. diffusing complaint or investigating complaint)
- Experience in supervising and training others
- Carrying out PDR’s
- Teaching/Presentation skills
- Attendance at relevant Special Interest Groups
- Relevant Accredited Postgraduate Training
- Experience of delivering training packages
- Previous experience working at Band 6 level with children with complex needs including neurological, behavioural and sensory disorders
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential criteria
- Demonstrates positive attitude and behaviours
- Excellent Time Management skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with people with complex difficulties and in difficult situations
- Ability to identify and articulate own training needs
- Self motivated with ability to work independently and influence others
- Excellent Team Player
- Ability to recognise own limitations and have a willingness to share and learn skills from others
- Ability to work in a stressful environment and concentrate in conditions requiring emotional demands
- Ability to prioritise own and others caseloads
- Ability to make decisions and problem solve when dealing with routine situations
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Charlotte Chapman
- Job title
- Childrens Speech and Language Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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